$19m spent on masterplan to promote arts in the community

A scene from "Oh! Bangau - Manambat Arus Menentang Badai", a mega dance performance staged at the Esplanade. The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth has spent some $19 million as of the end of last year on a masterplan which aims to promote arts appreciation among new audiences and give more grants to community arts groups, Acting Minister Lawrence Wong said on Thursday. -- BH PHOTO: TUKIMAN WARJI

By Andrea Ong

The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth has spent some $19 million as of the end of last year on a masterplan which aims to promote arts appreciation among new audiences and give more grants to community arts groups.

This update was given by Acting Minister Lawrence Wong in Parliament on Thursday in response to Nominated MP Janice Koh, who asked for an update on the five-year Community Engagement Masterplan launched in April last year.

Mr Wong said about half of the $19 million went to setting up networks of staff and volunteers to engage residents, tailor programmes for the local community and disseminate information on activities, resources and facilities.

Some 40 per cent went to supporting new programmes. These include the creation of 84 community arts and culture clubs as well as interest groups in areas like pottery, theatre, singing and the ukulele, said Mr Wong.